Sliding top



S. H. HAGE SLIDING TOP Jan. 19, 1965 INVENTOR.

Filed Feb. 2l, 1962 United States Patent O SLIDING T01 Stanislas H. Hage, Lake Bluff, Ill., assignor to ntboard Marine Corporation, Wauiregan, Ell., a corporation of Delaware Fiieti Feb. 21, 1962, Ser.` No. 174,758

The invention relates to slidably mounted tops for vehicles. More particularly, the invention relates to mounting arrangements for :such slidable tops.

The invention contemplates related construction of a sliding top and a co-operatingmounting which is actuatable to afford, selectively, slidable shifting of the top along its mounting and releasable locking of the top relative to its mounting. Preferably, locking of the top p relative to the mounting also serves to establish a watertight seal therebetween. These features are provided, in part, by the use of a mounting which receives the top and includes a displaceable latch bar or member movable to effect shifting of the top toward and away from the mounting between a first position in which lengthwise shifting of the top may occur and a second or locked position. The arrangement includes a resilient member which advantageously serves the dual function, when the top is in its second position, of frictionally restraining top movement lengthwise of the mounting and of preventing entry of water between the top and the mounting.V

The particular disclosed embodiment, the sliding top is mounted on a boat hull and includes a pair of parallel, generally identical mountings adapted for receiving, in telescopic relation to each other, more than one sliding top, and means whereby the associated latch bars are advantageously actuated in unison.

In general, the principal object of the invention is the provision of a mounting arrangement for a sliding top. A further object of the invention is the provision of a 'boat including a sliding top :supported by said mounting arrangement.

`Other objects and advantages of the invention will becorne known by reference to the following description and the accompanying drawings of one embodiment.

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary view, partially broken `away and sectioned, of arboat incorporating an arrangement for mounting a sliding top in accordance with the invention;

`view, partially broken away and in section, of the sliding top in its locked condition; and

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary enlarged view of a portion of the mechanism shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 1 shows a boat hull 11 incorporating a `mounting arrangement 13 for a sliding top 15 embodying various of the features of the invention. As shown therein, the sliding top 15 includes a pair of telescopically related sections 17 which are movable lengthwise of the hull 11 and relative to each other.` Each of the top sections 17 is generally U shaped, being supported at the 'edge or base 19 of each leg by one of a pair of parallel way means or moldings 21 suitably secured to the boat hull lll.

As the disclosed embodiment incorporates two top 3,165,752 Patented Jan. 19, 1965 sections 17, each of the moldings 21 includes two parallel track formations or ways 23, one for each top section `17. Each track formation 23 functions in conjunction with the cooperating base structure of one leg of the associated top section 17. The moldings 21 on oppo-` site sides of the hull 11 are generally of identical `construction. Moreover, the structure and function of each of the track formations 23 with the co-operating base 19 of the associated top sections is identical.`

Each track formation 23 includes an elongated recess or channel 25. Also provided are cooperating means on said top and on said moldings 21 for displacing said top toward and away from said boat hull between rst and `second positions. In the disclosed construction, such means includes an elongated displaceable member or latch bar 27 which is supported for vertical and lengthwise movement along one side of each channel 25 and which extends generally for the `length of the track formation. While various arrangements can be employed to effect vertical latch bar movement, the disclosed construction effects vertical displacement thereof as an incident to bodily lengthwise bar movement within the channel 25. More specifically, each latch bar 27 is carried by the associated channel by means including at least two spaced slots 29 which are inclined relative tothe length of the bar and respective camming pins received in each of the slots 29 and fixed to the adjacent sides of the channel 25. Thus, the latch bar will shift vertically incident to bodily lengthwise displacement thereof. As will `become apparent, vertical shifting of the latch bar 27 servesto positively. displace the associated top section 17 toward and away `from the molding 21 between a relatively elevated position affording free movement of the top section lengthwise of the molding and a relatively depressed position in which the associated top section is locked relative to the molding.

Positive movement of the top sections 17 toward and away from the molding 21 by action of the latch bar 27 is facilitated by the construction of the associated base 19 of the related top section 17. Thus, the cooperating means for displacing the top between its first and second positions also includes, on each base 19, an upright leg 33 having along its lower edge a flange 35 adapted to be engaged by the lower edge 37 of the latch bar 27. Mounted on the leg 33 in upwardly spaced relation lto the flange 35 are at least two rollers 39 which are engageable withthe top edge 41 of the associated latch bar 27. The rollers 34 are mounted so that their lowermost position is spaced from the liange `35 at a distance greater than the width of the latch bar 27 but less than the sum `of the width of the latch bar and the total extent of permissible latch bar vertical movement. The rollersl 39 are preferably substantially concealed by a shroud 42.

When the latch bar'27 is in its elevated position, the associated top section 17 is supported by engagement of the rollers 39 on the upper edge d1 of the latch bar 27 and the top section is freeto move longitudinally of the molding. Incident to depression of the latch bar 27 from its elevated position, its lower edge 37 engages the flange 35, thereby lowering the associated top section 17 toward the molding 21 until frictionally .engaged therewith to prevent relative movement therebetween and to prevent the entry of water therebetween. Such action is obtained, in the disclosed construction, by the provision of a resilient member or gasket 43 of rubber or rubber-like material secured to the outer side of the upright leg 33, and a seat constituted byia lengthwise ledge 45 which defines the top of the other side of the channel 25. The gasket 43 is drawn tightly against the ledge 45 by action of the lower edge il of the latch bar 27 which engages and displaces the flange 35 downwardly incident to downward movement of the latch bar 27 from its elevated position.

The latch bars 27 associated with each of the moldings 21 are preferably interconnected so as to permit their simultaneous movement and thereby effect simultaneous freeing of the sliding top sections 17 and simultaneous locking thereof. ln the disclosed construction, each latch Abar 27 has a forward extension 47 which projects into the hull beneath the forward deck 49 and which is connected to the extension of the adjacent latch bar by suitable Imeans, such as the bracket l. Desirably, the latch bars 27 on each side of the hull l1 are also simultaneously operated for length-wise displacement relative to the channel 2S by a single control. In the disclosed construction, this feature is achieved by means including a thwart-ship rod S3 located under the forward deck 49 and including a handle extending into the cockpit 57, by which the rod 53 can be shifted axially, i.e., crosswise of the boat. At each end, the rod 53 is connected to one leg of a bell crank lever pivotally mounted on the hull. The other leg of each of the bell crank levers 59 is connected to one of the brackets 5l. Thus, axial shifting of the rod 53 causes simultaneous longitudinal movement of each of the latch bars 27, either to release the sliding top l5 for movement or to releasably lock the sliding top l5 against movement.

Various of the features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. The combination of means mountable on a vehicle for establishing a channel shaped way, a sliding top received in said channel shaped way, and means on said way and on said top for guiding reciprocation of said top longitudinally along ,said way, effecting transverse displacement of said top respecting said way, and locating said top against reciprocation at any position longitudinally of said way when said top is in one position of transverse displacement with respect to said way, said means on said sliding top and on said way including a resilient member on one of said sliding top and said way engaged by the other of said sliding top and said way when said sliding top is in said one position, thereby also to prevent entry of fluid therebetween, and said means on said way and said sliding top including a displaceable member carried by said way for movement lengthwise of said way to effect displacement of said sliding top transverse to said way relative to said one position, whereby said top is unlocked when displaced from said one position.

V2. The combination of means mountable on a Vehicle for establishing an upwardly vopen channel shaped way, a generally inverted U-shaped sliding top having a downwardly extending leg received in said channel shaped way, and means on said way and on said top for guiding reciprocation of said top longitudinally along said way, effecting transverse displacement of said top respecting said way, and locking said top against reciprocation at any positionlongitudinally of said way when said top is Vin one position of transverse displacement with respect to said way. i

3. The combination of means mountable on a vehicle for establishing an upwardly open channel shaped way, a generally inverted U-shaped sliding top having a downwardly extending leg received in said channel shaped way, and means on said way and on said top for guiding reciprocation of said top longitudinally along said way, leecting transverse displacement of said top respecting Asaid way, and locking said top against reciprocation at any position longitudinally of said way when said top is 'in one position of transverse displacement with respect to said way, said means on said sliding top and on said way including a resilient member on one of said sliding top and said way engaged by the other of said sliding top and said way when said sliding top is in said one position, thereby also to prevent entry of fluid therebetween.

4; A sliding top structure ,for a vehicle comprising a i sliding top, way means mountable on said vehicle, said way means. receiving said top, and co-operating means on said top and on said way means for displacing said sliding top toward and away from said way means between a first position and a second position, for guiding movement of said top lengthwise along said way means when in said first position, and for locking said sliding top against movement along said way means when in said second position, said co-operating means including a member, means supporting said member for bodily displacement lengthwise of said way means to afford displacement of said top between said first and second positions, and means for displacing said member lengthwise of said way means.

5. A combination in accordance with claim 4, wherein said sliding top -includes at least two telescopically related sections, and

said :zo-operating means includes means displaceable lengthwise of said way means for effecting positive displacement of said sliding top sections between said rst and second positions, thereby permitting simull taneous sliding movement of said sections lengthwise along said way means when said sections are in said first position and preventing sliding movement of said sections Vwhen said sections are in said second position. 6. The combination of a'boat hull, a sliding top section for said boat hull including adjacent one edge thereof a roller,

'a flange extending in spaced parallel relation to a portion of said roller, and

a sealing gasket extending in spaced parallel relation to said flange, and means on said hull for slidably supporting said top section for movement along said hull and for releas- -ably locking said top section against movement, said slidable Vsupporting and releasable ylocking means comprising l a formation on said hull including a ledge disposed in parallel relation to said gasket, an elongated latch bar of lesser width than the distance between Said roller portion and said `flange, and means on said formation for carrying said latch i bar intermediate said roller and said flange and for selectively displacing said latch bar perpendicularly of its length between an elevated position in which said roller is supportingly engaged 'on the upper surface of said flange to facilitate movementvof said top section relative to said hull and said vgasket is spaced from said ledge, and a depressed position in which said flange is engaged by the lower surface of said latch bar to depress said top section so as to engage said gasket with said ledge, thereby locking said top section against movement relative to said hull `and excluding entry of water between said, top and said hull. 7. The combination of a boat hull, a sliding top for said boat hull including two sections, each of said sections including, adjacent one edge thereof, a roller, a ange extending in spaced parallel relation to a portion of said roller, andV a sealing gasket extending in parallel relation to said ange, and means on said hull for slidably supsurface of said latch bars to facilitate movement of said top sections relative to said hull and said gaskets are spaced from said ledges, and depressed positions in which said flanges are engaged by the lower surface of said latch bars to depress said top sections so as to engage said gaskets with said ledges, thereby locking said top sections against movement relative tosaid hull and excluding entry of water between said top and said hull, and means for displacing said latch bars in unison with one another.

8. The combination of a boat hull, a sliding top structure for said boat hull, way means on said boat hull, said Waymeans receiving said top, and co-operating means on said top and on said way means for displacing said sliding top toward and away from said boat hull between a first position and a second position, for guiding movement of said top lengthwise along said boat hull when in said first position, and for locking said sliding top against movement along said boat hull when in said second position, said co-operating means including a member, means supporting said member for bodily displacement lengthwise of said way means to aiiord displacement of said top between said first and second positions, and means for displacing said member lengthwise of said way means.

9. A sliding top structure for a vehicle comprising a sliding top of inverted U shape including two spaced leg portions, a pair of way means mountable on said vehicle, each of said way means receiving a separate one of said leg portions, co-operating means on each of said legr portions and the respectively associated way means for guiding sliding movement of said top lengthwise along said way means when in a first position, for preventing sliding movement of said sliding top along said way means when in a second position, and for displacing said sliding top toward and away from said way means between said first position and said second position, each of said cooperating means including a member, and means supporting said member for bodily displacement lengthwise of the associated one of said way means to afford displacement of said sliding top between said rst and second positions, and means for simultaneously displacing both of said members lengthwise of their associated way means.

10. A sliding top structure for a vehicle comprising a sliding top including two telescopically related sections `and way means mountable on said vehicle, said way means including a pair of ways respectively receiving said sliding top sections, and co-operating means on each of said top sections and on said ways respectively receiving said top sections for simultaneously displacing said sections toward and away from said ways between a first position and a second position, for simultaneously guiding sliding movement of said sections lengthwise along said ways when said sections are in said iirst position, and for simultaneously preventing sliding movement of said sections when said sections are in said second position.

1l. A sliding top structure for a vehicle comprising a sliding top including two telescopically related sections and way means mountable on said vehicle, said way means including a pair or" ways respectively receiving said sliding top sections, co-operating means on each of said top sections and on said ways respectively receiving said top sections for simultaneously displacing said sections toward and away from said ways between. a first position and a second position, for simultaneously guiding sliding movement of said sections lengthwise along said ways when said sections are in said first position, and for simultaneously preventing sliding movement of said sections when said sections are in said second position, each of said `co-operatng means including a member, and means mounting said member forV displacement relative to the associated one of said ways to afford displacement of the associated sliding top section between said .first and second positions, and means for simultaneously displacing said members relative to said ways.

12. A sliding top structure for a vehicle comprising a sliding top including two telescopically .related sections and way means mountable on said vehicle, said way means including a pair of ways respectively receiving said sliding top sections, and co-operating means on each of said top sections and on said ways respectively receiving said top sections for simultaneously displacing said sections toward and away from said ways between a iirst position and a second position, for simultaneously guiding sliding movement of said sections lengthwise along said ways when said sections are in said first position, and for simultaneously preventing sliding movement of said sections when said sections are in said second position, each of said co-operating means including ya member, and means mounting said member for bodily displacement lengthwise of the associated one of said ways to afford displacement of said top sections between said first and second positions, and means for simultaneously displacing both of said members lengthwise of said ways.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,255,290 Bryant Feb. 5, 1918 2,882,093 Schalter Apr. 14, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 612,214 Great Britain Nov. 10, 1948 

1. THE COMBINATION OF MEANS MOUNTABLE ON A VEHICLE FOR ESTABLISHING A CHANNEL SHAPED WAY, A SLIDING TO RECEIVED IN SAID CHANNEL SHAPED WAY, AND MEANS ON SAID WAY AND ON SAID TOP FOR GUIDING RECIPROCATION OF SAID TOP LONGITUDINALLY ALONG SAID WAY, EFFECTING TRANSVERSE DISPLACEMENT OF SAID TOP RESPECTING SAID WAY, AND LOCATING SAID TOP AGAINST RECIPORCATION AT ANY POSITION LONGITUDINALLY OF SAID WAY WHEN SAID TOP IS IN ONE POSITION OF TRANSVERSE DISPLACEMENT WITH RESPECT TO SAID WAY, SAID MEANS ON SAID SLIDING TOP AND ON SAID WAY INCLUDING A RESILIENT MEMBER ON ONE OF SAID SLIDING TOP AND SAID WAY ENGAGED BY THE OTHER OF SAID SLIDING TOP AND SAID WAY WHEN SAID SLIDING TOP IS IN SAID ONE POSITION, THEREBY ALSO TO PREVENT ENTRY OF FLUID THEREBETWEEN, AND SAID MEANS ON SAID WAY AND SAID SLIDING TOP INCLUDING A DISPLACEABLE MEMBER CARRIED BY SAID WAY FOR MOVEMENT LENGHTWISE OF SAID WAY TO EFFECT DISPLACEMENT OF SAID SLIDING TOP TRANSVERSE TO SAID WAY RELATIVE TO SAID ONE POSITION, WHEREBY SAID TOP IS UNLOCKED WHEN DISPLACED FROM SAID ONE POSITION. 